What is oily hair, and why does it happen?

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand the problem. Oily hair occurs when your scalp produces an excessive amount of sebum, a natural oil that’s actually there to protect and moisturize both your scalp and your hair. This oil is essential for keeping your hair healthy and shiny, but when production gets out of control, it can make your hair look greasy, feel heavy, and lack volume.

So what exactly causes this overproduction of sebum? Here are some of the most common causes:

• Genetics: Yes, you can actually blame your parents for your oily hair. Genetic factors play a major role in how much sebum your scalp produces.
• Hormones: Hormonal changes, especially during puberty or pregnancy, can affect sebum production. Stress can also lead to hormonal imbalances that affect the hair.
• Common hair care mistake: Washing your hair too often can actually make it greasier, because your scalp tries to compensate for the loss of natural oils by producing more sebum. On the other hand, using too many styling products can also weigh your hair down and make it look greasy.
• Environmental factors: Air pollution and high humidity can also cause your hair to get greasy more quickly, especially if you live in a big city.

How can you reduce oily hair?

Now that we know why hair gets greasy, let’s talk about what you can do about it. There are actually many simple and effective ways to deal with greasy hair, and you can start most of them right away.

1. Wash less often

It may sound counterintuitive, but washing your hair too often can actually make the problem worse. When you wash away all the natural oils from your scalp, it reacts by producing even more sebum to restore the balance. Try reducing how often you wash your hair to every other day or every three days. It may take a little time for your scalp to adjust, but give it a few weeks and you’ll likely notice a difference.

If you're worried that your hair will look greasy during the transition period, you can use dry shampoo to freshen it up between washes.

2. Use a volumizing dry shampoo

Dry shampoo is a real lifesaver when it comes to quickly freshening up greasy hair. It absorbs excess oil and gives your hair an instant volume boost, making it look freshly washed even when it isn’t. There are different dry shampoos to choose from depending on your hair color, so pick one that’s right for you.

For best results, spray the dry shampoo onto your scalp and let it sit for a few minutes before brushing through your hair. This gives the product time to absorb the oil and leaves you with the fresh feeling you’re looking for.

3. Avoid overusing styling products

We all love a good styling product that can give our hair a little extra shine or volume, but too much of a good thing can actually weigh your hair down and make it greasy faster. Try to keep your styling routine simple and use only lightweight products that don’t leave a film on your hair.

A good tip is to use a heat-protective product before styling your hair with heat tools. This protects your hair from drying out, which in turn can cause your scalp to produce more sebum. Our Nourishing Heat Protection is perfect for this purpose.

4. Gently brush your hair

Did you know that the way you brush your hair can affect how greasy it gets? When you brush your hair, you spread sebum from your scalp down to the ends, which can cause your hair to get greasy faster. Use a brush with natural bristles that’s gentle on your hair, and avoid brushing too much.

It’s also a good idea to clean your hairbrush regularly. A dirty brush can collect residue from styling products and oils, which are then transferred back to your hair every time you brush it.

5. Invest in a good heat-protective product

If you love styling your hair with a flat iron or curling iron, it’s important to protect it from heat. Heat can dry out your hair, causing your scalp to produce more oil to compensate. Use a heat-protecting cream or spray every time you use heat styling tools to minimize damage and keep your hair looking fresh longer.

Spring Nourishing Heat Protection not only protects your hair from heat, but it also helps keep frizz at bay and provides extra moisture. Plus, it’s a lightweight product that doesn’t weigh your hair down, which is important when you’re trying to keep it fresh and grease-free.

Products from The Every help with oily hair

When it comes to tackling oily hair, the right products are absolutely essential. Here at The Every , we The Every a carefully curated selection of hair care products specially formulated to help you keep your hair fresh, clean, and voluminous without it feeling greasy or heavy. All of our products are 100% vegan and free from sulfates, parabens, and cyclic silicones, making them perfect for sensitive scalps and hair.

1. Caring Shampoo

Our Caring Shampoo is a gentle yet effective shampoo that gently cleanses your hair without drying it out. It’s perfect for daily use and helps balance the scalp, which is important for preventing excess sebum production. Plus, it contains hyaluronic acid and avocado oil, which moisturize and protect your hair.

2. Caring Conditioner

After shampooing, your hair needs moisture and nourishment, but without feeling weighed down. Our Caring Conditioner is the perfect companion to our shampoo. It also contains hyaluronic acid and avocado oil, which help maintain your hair’s moisture balance and leave it soft and manageable. It’s especially great for those who want to avoid greasy hair, as it leaves no heavy residue in your hair.

3. Invisible Dry Shampoo

When you need a quick refresh between washes, our Invisible Dry Shampoo is an excellent choice. It’s invisible and works on all hair colors, leaving your hair looking and feeling clean without leaving white residue. The unique formula contains plant-based ingredients like sweet almond oil and provitamin B5, which both refresh and nourish your hair.

4. Scalp Food

One of the best ways to combat oily hair is to keep your scalp healthy and balanced. Our Scalp Food is a nourishing serum packed with natural ingredients like lavender oil and niacinamide. This serum helps soothe the scalp, reduce irritation, and regulate sebum production. Use it regularly to maintain a healthy scalp and reduce the risk of oily hair.

5. Volumizing Dry Shampoo Dark / Volumizing Dry Shampoo Blonde

If you have colored hair, it’s important to use a dry shampoo that’s formulated for your hair color to avoid white or gray residue. Our Volumizing Dry Shampoo Dark and Volumizing Dry Shampoo Blonde are specially formulated to add volume and freshness while perfectly matching your hair color. They also contain strengthening ingredients like rice starch and bamboo extract, which help absorb oil and lift the hair from the roots.

How to use our products for oily hair

Now that you know our top products for oily hair, let’s go over how you can incorporate them into your daily hair care routine to get the most out of them.

Step 1: Start with Caring Shampoo

Use Caring Shampoo to gently cleanse your hair and scalp. Wet your hair thoroughly and apply a small amount of shampoo. Massage it into your scalp and work up a lather. Rinse thoroughly. This step removes dirt, oil, and product residue without drying out your hair.

Step 2: Follow up with Caring Conditioner

After shampooing, it’s time to moisturize your hair with Caring Conditioner. Apply a small amount of conditioner to the lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp to prevent weighing down your hair. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. This conditioner helps retain moisture and leaves your hair soft and manageable.

Step 3: Use Scalp Food

After washing and drying your hair, apply Scalp Fooddirectlyto your scalp. Use the dropper to distribute the serum evenly across your entire scalp. Gently massage the product in with your fingertips. This serum helps soothe and balance the scalp, which can reduce excess oil production and keep your hair looking fresh longer.

Step 4: Use Dry Shampoo Between Washes

In the mornings when your hair feels a little greasy, or when you need a quick refresh during the day, use our Volumizing Dry Shampoo Dark / Volumizing Dry Shampoo Blonde. Shake the bottle well and spray the dry shampoo directly onto your scalp, focusing on the roots. Let it sit for a few minutes before brushing through your hair to distribute the product and absorb the oil.

Step 5: Finish with Nourishing Heat Protection

If you plan to use heat styling tools such as a flat iron or curling iron, finish your hair care routine with Nourishing Heat Protection. Spray or apply a small amount to the lengths and ends before styling your hair. This helps protect your hair from heat damage and keeps it healthy and shiny.

FAQ

To wrap up this post, let’s go over some of the most common questions about oily hair. We’ve compiled the most frequently searched questions to give you the best answers and help you get your hair under control.

Q: Why does my hair get oily so quickly?
A: There are several reasons why your hair might get oily quickly, including genetics, hormonal changes, and excessive sebum production. Other factors, such as washing your hair too often, using too many styling products, and environmental factors like air pollution, can also play a role. To reduce oily hair, try washing it less frequently and use lightweight products that don’t weigh your hair down.

Q: How often should I wash oily hair?
A: For oily hair, it’s best not to wash it every day. Try washing your hair every other day or every three days to give your scalp time to restore its natural oil balance. If your hair gets oily between washes, you can use dry shampoo to freshen it up without having to wash it.

Q: What are the best products for oily hair?
A: When choosing products for oily hair, look for shampoos and conditioners that are lightweight and free of sulfates and parabens. Our Caring Shampoo and Caring Conditioner are excellent choices because they cleanse and moisturize the hair without weighing it down. Dry shampoos like Invisible Dry Shampoo are also great for keeping hair fresh between washes.

Q: Does dry shampoo help with oily hair?
A: Yes, dry shampoo is an excellent solution for quickly freshening up oily hair. It absorbs excess oil and gives your hair an instant volume boost, making it look freshly washed. Dry shampoo can be used between washes to extend the time between them and keep your hair looking fresh longer.

Q: How can I prevent my hair from getting greasy overnight?
A: A good tip for preventing greasy hair overnight is to apply dry shampoo before going to bed. The dry shampoo can then work overnight to absorb oil and refresh your hair while you sleep. Another tip is to avoid sleeping with your hair in a tight ponytail, as this can stimulate sebum production.